So Money with Farnoosh Torabi · Monday, July 13, 2026
Farnoush Torabi noted the emergence of startups whose business models involve partnering with small business owners who lack succession plans. These startups typically take a 51% ownership stake, allowing the original owners to retire while helping to train existing staff and improve business operations.
“And you're seeing trends in the marketplace where there are startups, for example, that their whole business model is going to help these small business owners, often mom and pop, independent, that don't have a succession plan.”
“But they have 30 years of sweat equity in the business, they have employees that are long-term. So they're like, look, we'll come in, we will become partners with you, we'll become 51% owners. You can go retire, and we're going to help your existing staff, train up and manage up, and, you know, give them, you know, maybe some benefits.”